Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Seong Jihan doubted his ears.

'Celebrities and announcers? This doesn't sound like a modest welcome party.'

This seemed more like a grand booze party.

And they're planning such a thing when there are only a few days left before the national match?

'This is quite different from when I was in the US.'

Of course, back then, many countries were actually collapsing, and the current situation wasn't as tense.

The US team's schedule was fundamentally rigorous.

'It wasn't like now, practicing only 3-4 hours. The standard was 12 hours.'

On top of that, if one's stamina dropped, not only would the B-team supporters step up to take care, but there were also sessions for opponent team power analysis and strategy briefings.

Every game was approached as if it were the start of a war.

Yet, without having won a single game and with warriors who were essentially at the heart of those defeats, they wanted to throw a booze party on the first day?

'Their mindset has gone rotten.'

Although it was under the guise of a welcome party, the actual intention was pretty distasteful.

Seong Jihan waved his hand, immediately declining the offer.

"I'm fine, thanks. I have to look after my niece."

"Oh, but..."

"Hey, bro! Ha Yoori is also coming!"

"Who is she?"

"You don't know Ha Yoori of South Korea...?"

"I don't."

"Her, look!"

Lee Yoongi swiftly searched something on his smartphone and showed him a picture of Ha Yoori. The screen displayed a top star often seen in TV commercials, smiling radiantly.

"I've seen her on TV."

"Yes! Despite being so popular, she's coming just to see you!"

"Tell her not to come. I can't make it."

"Jihan... Please, just for today, can't you?"

Even when Ha Yoori was mentioned, he refused!

Is he even a guy?

Kim Dongwoo was dumbfounded, but still, out of desperation, showed Seong Jihan photos of several female celebrities, begging him earnestly.

"Ha Yoori isn't the only one. She's coming, and she is, and her as well..."

"I can't."

However, Seong Jihan firmly declined and turned away.

"I'm not free because of yesterday's event. Please understand."

"Ah... okay then."

Feeling the sudden coldness from Seong Jihan, Kim Dongwoo couldn't persuade him any further.

Once Seong Jihan had completely left the interview venue,

Kim Dongwoo finally began to grumble.

"Gosh, is he impotent or what?"

"Ughhh. Given what happened yesterday..."

"I know... Damn it. When he became stern, I got goosebumps."

"Uh... Honestly, I was a bit scared too. He's indeed on a different level."

Even the national team warriors, who had never felt intimidated in the past, felt confined. They had an instinctive fear that any further persuasion would jeopardize their newly formed relationship.

"Oh, no... It's his fault. But what are we to do now? I've invited some difficult-to-find people, and they're very excited."

"Um..."

Lee Yoongi paused for a moment before devising a strategy.

"Let's just say Jihan will join later due to yesterday's incident. By the time he joins, everyone will be tipsy and probably won't remember, right?"

"Maybe?"

"Yes. Once they're drunk, it's over. Besides, our specs aren't weak either way?"

"True that."

With that, Kim Dongwoo decided to host the welcome party for Seong Jihan without him.

??

Meanwhile, Seong Jihan headed to the BattleNet center's private practice room with Yoon Seah.

While Seong Jihan could directly log into BattleNet, Yoon Seah needed a connector, which was the reason for visiting the practice room.

"May I use the BattleNet connector?"

"Oh, of course!"

Soon, Sophia, who was in the US, joined, and the three formed a team.

[This mission's objective is 'Invade'.]

[You are part of the Demonic Faction.]

"Jihan! I saw the interview. Did you really hold on till the 14th wave?"

"Yes. We could've cleared the 15th, but it was unfortunate."

"Wow... I want to see the footage... But they won't release it, will they?"

"Maybe after the Russia game. Not before that, though."

While Sophia expressed interest in Seong Jihan's records, she soon turned her attention to Yoon Seah.

"Seah, so what have you decided about the class change?"

"Uh, about that..."

Suddenly, Seong Jihan cut her off.

"Seah, you discussed the class change with Sophia?"

"Yeah. About becoming a Void Archer. I shared my thoughts with Sophia since I was unsure..."

Seong Jihan nodded.

"Void Archer."

"You're willing to take the risk despite Ariel's warning?"

"Yes. I want to become stronger quickly."

"Understood."

With that, Seong Jihan nodded in agreement.

'It seems the recent incident had a significant impact on her.'

Perhaps it was due to the incident where she was almost kidnapped by Shizuru.

Yoon Seah's eyes were filled with determination, even if it was tinged with anger.

Her determination to grow stronger was palpable, even if it meant taking such risks.

Seong Jihan made the decision to respect her decision.

"Well, if that's your decision, you should stick with it."

"Oh, yes! Please wait for me! Uncle, I'm going to surpass you."

"Be content with being second."

"I'll never lose to that."

"It's better than giving you false hope."

She can't beat Muhon as a Void Archer.

As the two were chatting, they received a message from the opposing team.

[Argh— it's Jihan...]

[We're unlucky to face him todayㅜㅜ]

[I guess we'll just sit at our base~~^^]

The players from the Angel Faction immediately gave up and stayed at their base upon seeing Seong Jihan's name.

This had become a common occurrence since Seong Jihan reached the gold level.

"I'm farming minions for levels."

"Got it."

"Sophia, cover Seah as well."

"Sure~ Miss, let's go~!"

"Miss?"

"You told me 'Miss' is what you call a younger sister-in-law in Korea."

"But, I mean..."

"It's the same thing~."

Seong Jihan looked incredulous at Sophia's words.

She seems more severe than her previous life.

As he pondered whether it was wise for the three of them to play together, the opposing players started chatting with him from their base.

[Jihan! How was being on the national team?]

[It was full of good people.]

[I heard you're having a star-studded welcome party today. Are you certain you should be playing right now?]

[I declined the party because of yesterday's incident. My level is the lowest, so I need to level up.]

[So, leveling up... haha...]

[So you deliberately played during the time Jihan was online...]

The opposing players felt dejected by Seong Jihan's response.

They had hoped that after he joined the national team, he might attend the welcome party and not be available for games.

'I should play a bit longer today.'

Seong Jihan decided to extend the game so that Yoon Seah, who had switched classes to Void Archer, could adjust properly.

So, instead of quickly farming the jungle and buffing his team, he simply relaxed and monitored the situation, much like the opposing team.

Three hours passed in this manner.

[Just push and end it... it's tortureㅜㅜ]

[What are you doing ㅠㅠ]

Around the time when the opposing team's players grew impatient, one of them messaged:

[Jihan! You might want to finish the game. I received a notification that something happened at the BattleNet center?]

[What?]

At the welcome party, a major incident had occurred.

"Is this true?"

Director Noh Youngjun trembled with anger.

"One of our players assaulted Ha Yoori and she's critically injured...?"

"Yes... Fortunately, a supportive player who got the call came in time and treated her. But she hasn't regained consciousness."

"That damn fool! Who did this?"

"It was... Player Yoon Jeonghyun."

Yoon Jeonghyun had been the strongest warrior next to Kim Dongwoo before Seong Jihan's arrival. However, he was widely known for his bad temper and fondness for women.

No one expected him to go as far as attacking a woman, let alone a top star like Ha Yoori.

"And Kim Dongwoo, who said they were just having a small drinking party..."

"They apparently invited many celebrities for a booze party to welcome Seong Jihan."

"...Was Seong Jihan involved?"

"No, he was playing on BattleNet at the time. The assault apparently occurred when Ha Yoori said she would leave because Seong Jihan wasn't there, and Yoon Jeonghyun lost his temper..."

"This damn idiot!"

Warrior players are human weapons.

Especially if they're at the national representative level.

To think one would attack a civilian...

It's a miracle she's still alive.

"Any chance for a settlement?"

"About that... Ha Yoori is the younger sister of player Ha Yeonjoo. And right now, Ha Yeonjoo is livid, and we're barely holding her back from killing Yoon Jeonghyun..."

Ha Yeonjoo, the leader of the national representative Archers, was the top player in Korea with the highest level. Her position in the national team was incomparable to Yoon Jeonghyun's.

"... Did that fool know he was attacking Ha Yeonjoo's sister?"

"He claims he only held her back, and she somehow got hurt... he feels he's been wronged."

"Damn it, the real problem is that he used force against a civilian!"

Bang!

Director Noh Youngjun slammed his desk, unable to contain his anger.

He had turned a blind eye to the drinking, but causing such a mess was inexcusable.

Assaulting a celebrity, especially a top star like Ha Yoori?

'I want to get rid of them all...'

Noh Youngjun felt a strong urge to drink.

His reputation had plummeted after continuous losses since the departure of the Sword King.

Kim Dongwoo, who used to be obedient, had brazenly brought dozens of outsiders for a party, defying his earlier promise.

And now, this catastrophic event has taken place.

"So... Director, what should we do...?"

The analyst beside him was pacing anxiously, but Noh Youngjun was devoid of ideas.

The national team was already out of his control.

Perhaps he should just resign and bear the full responsibility for this incident.

That was the only thought swirling in his head.

Then,

"Director."

Ha Yeonjoo, the leader of the Archer squad, entered his office.

She was known as one of Korea's beautiful sisters alongside her top-star sibling Ha Yoori, and she made a final demand with a stern expression.

"Those who participated in the drinking session today, dismiss them all. Or else, the entire Archer squad will boycott the national games."

"What? All? Isn't Yoon Jeonghyun the main problem? Why everyone...?"

"I can't forgive those who just stood by and watched while my sister was assaulted."

"But, the match against Russia is just a few days away. Dismissing all the warriors...?"

"Not all, just the 12 who attended the second drinking session."

Dismissing 12 warriors or the entire Archer squad would boycott the game?

Noh Youngjun felt trapped.

But, with Seong Jihan's recent addition, there was finally hope for a win.

Now, all this mess over some random welcome party?

"What's happening?"

At that moment, Seong Jihan, who had finished his game, entered the director's office.

"Seong Jihan..."

Ha Yeonjoo glared at him, her arms crossed.

Even though he hadn't attended the party, her sister had attended and got hurt because of it. Naturally, she wasn't happy.

'Why is she acting like this towards me?'

As Seong Jihan looked puzzled,

"Earlier... that's... "

The director gave a brief overview of the situation.

Hearing it, Ha Yeonjoo gritted her teeth and said,

"Then, I can't be on the national team with your teammates. All the Archers share this sentiment."

Seong Jihan recalled the members of the warrior squad.

They weren't essential, but they weren't completely useless either.

"Okay, can I still be on the team even if my teammates aren't?"

"Well, you didn't attend the drinking session, so..."

"Alright, Director."

Seong Jihan spoke confidently.

"Dismiss the twelve of them. Actually, dismiss those who attended the first drinking session too."

"What? You... I can understand about Yoon Jeonghyun, but dismissing everyone means we'll have no warriors left! Only second-tier players remain!"

"I alone defended till the 14th wave earlier."

The director was rendered speechless.

That was correct.

"I don't want to sync up with teammates who tarnished my name."

"Um... well..."

"Or I can leave the team."

At that, Ha Yeonjoo looked at Seong Jihan in surprise.

She had wanted to dismiss those who attended the first drinking session, but she hadn't expected Seong Jihan to suggest it himself.

She felt guilty for having glared at him earlier.

Her anger subsided slightly.

"Alright."

Seong Jihan and the Archer squad vs. the troublesome warrior squad.

When weighing the options, the balance clearly tilted to the left.

Noh Youngjun gave up on trying to reconcile.

'Even if we lose against Russia, it's better to have discipline...'

Up until that moment, he had given up on the upcoming match.

However, as time went by and the national team match began,

- There was an unfortunate incident in the national team, right?

- Yes... it's regrettable. Director Noh Youngjun took strict measures and dismissed all the primary warrior players. There was a lot of public criticism.

- Yes, many wondered who would play the games if all the warriors were dismissed. But today, Director Noh Youngjun seems more confident than usual.

- Indeed. In an interview yesterday, he confidently stated they would win...

- I hope that's true!

Director Noh Youngjun's face was filled with confidence.

The source of that confidence was due to one person.

'This guy is insane.'

At the top of the national team list, he had first written the name Seong Jihan.